Page 47 of Love Me Forever

I wished they were here for this occasion, too, because it wasn’t about work. It was intensely personal. I'd already shared it with both of them before the family arrived because I didn't want them to be blindsided and find out from someone else. One thing I could bet on was that this was going to be the top gossip subject in the family for weeks.

My living room was huge, and everyone was spread around, enjoying the pizza I'd had delivered. Mom was looking at it disapprovingly. Whenever we gathered at my parents' house, she had us all cook together. She said cooking was a bonding experience. I was far too practical for that.

Tate was sitting on the couch with Lexi and Paisley. Declan and Liz were next to them. Liz had brought cupcakes for everyone. Tyler and Luke had come without their better halves; they couldn't make it, since my invitation was too short notice.

"So, I'm betting whatever it is, it's business related," Tate said.

Declan was just looking at me intently. He was probably weighing the situation, trying to gauge if I was involved in any shit.

"Whatever it is, I'm warning you. You're not going to move away. It's enough that Sam and Kimberly aren't here," Reese said.

I totally agreed with that. I had no intention of moving away from Chicago.

Luke narrowed his eyes at me. "I bet it's something completely different."

As the second oldest and the brother who riled us up to no good more times than I could count, he could definitely read a room. Not as well as Sam, but his skills were still unparalleled by anyone else here, except perhaps Gran. It was how Luke always knew if Sam and I would join in on his ideas or not. He rarely wasted his breath asking us if he thought we wouldn't get on board.

"I agree with Luke," Reese said. She and Gran were sitting with my parents on the opposite couch. "You look tense. It must be serious. I have about five scenarios in mind."

"Let the man talk," Gran said.

My parents had been completely silent the whole time.

I cleared my throat, putting my hands in my pockets. "When I was in Oceanwell Bay, I met someone. Her name is Bonnie."

Tyler jumped to his feet. "Holy shit, you got married in secret."

Luke groaned. "Don't be ridiculous. That would be too fast for Travis. I bet he just wants to introduce us to her."

I cleared my throat again. Tyler sat down. Declan went completely still.

"Actually, she's pregnant," I said.

The whole room was silent.

Luke chuckled, then looked at me and froze. "Jesus, you're serious."

I stared at him. "You think I’d joke about something like this?"

Everyone started talking at the same time. I couldn't make out what anyone was saying. Why did I think it was a good idea to tell everyone at the same time? I could've just called them individually or in small groups. Now that I was facing the mayhem, I could think of at least ten other ways I could've managed this better.

"Who is she?" Mom asked, strolling toward me. "When can we meet her?"

"All in due time," I said. “But I will tell her how fast you asked that."

"Of course I asked that. She's your girlfriend."

"She's not."

The room quieted down at that.

"Wait a second. What do you mean?" Reese asked.

"We had a good time in Oceanwell, but we were open with each other that we don't want anything serious. Now that we've reconnected, Bonnie says it's best if we co-parent and stay friends."

"What do you mean, reconnected?" Tate asked. His eyes were hard.

"We lost contact after I left," I replied, "which is fucked-up, I know, so I don't need anyone else giving me shit.”

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